remembering the times

Columbia had no paved streets until 1908, when 17 blocks of Main Street were surfaced. There were, however, 115 publicly maintained street crossings at intersections to keep pedestrians from having to wade through a sea of mud between wooden sidewalks.As an experiment, Washington Street was once paved with wooden blocks. This proved to be the source of much local amusement when they buckled and floated away during heavy rains. The blocks were replaced with asphalt paving in 1925.

Another shot of dowtown Columbia from the top of a parking garage on Lady Street. 

the Vista

A shot of part of the Vista from the top of a parking garage on Lady Street, Downtown Columbia.

Johnson City, Tennessee

...walkin' to the south out of Roanoke,

I caught a trucker out of Philly had a nice long toke.

But he's a heading west to the Cumberland gap,

From Johnson City, Tennessee.

Now I gotta get a move on before the sun,

I hear my baby calling my name and I know that she's the only one.

And If I die in Raleigh at least I will die free...

-Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show


Well, sadly, this post concludes my trip to Tennessee this past weekend. I already can't wait to go back!

the A.T.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the The A.T., is a 2,174 mile (3500 km) marked hiking and camping trail in the eastern United States, extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. Along the way, the trail also passes through the states of North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

The A.T. atop of Unaka Mountain. You can tell this is the Appalachian Trial because it is indicated by the white trail markers.

old barn

Barn off of Jim Elliot Road located in the outskirts of Johnson City, TN

things unknown

There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception. -Aldous Huxley (English writer)

I absolutely have no clue how this photo turned out this way but I love it! I think it's really cool how everything seems like it's moving except this one leaf.

Unaka Mountain

This is another photo I shot from Emmanuel School of Religion. In the distance stands Unaka Mountain.

Milligan College

Pictured above is the college I recently graduated from. I shot this photo from the campus of Emmanuel School of Religion because of the fantastic view. It's almost like Emmanuel is watching over us. Through the good times and the bad, Milligan will always hold a very special place within me. I am definitely proud to be an alumni of this prestigious institution.

Williams-Taylor House

The Edmund Williams family, pioneers of the area, owned the original log cabin at this site. Owner, Joshua Williams (1808-1895) enlarged the house and in 1866 gave land to Buffalo Institute, now Milligan College. It was established by Col. G.W. Baker who died here in 1905. In 1908, the house was purchased by former congressman Alfred A. Taylor (1848-1931), known for "Tennessee's War of the Roses" and governor from 1921 to 1923. It was the long-term home of U.S. District Judge Robert L. Taylor (1899-1987), who in 1956 ordered the racial desegregation of Clinton High School. -Tennessee Historical Commission

For more information about Milligan College visit www.milligan.edu

 

Milligan College, TN

far more

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. -John Muir

Over 100 years ago, naturalist John Muir founded the Sierra Club to help preserve the pristine beauty of the Sierra Nevada. Since then, we've been instrumental in creating dozens of national parks, saving hundreds of species from extinction, and safeguarding over 160 million acres of wilderness and 8,000 miles of wild and scenic rivers. Help us continue this proud tradition. -Sierra Club (founded 1892)

Unaka Mountain Overlook, Tennessee

unfinished work

Conservation is a cause that has no end. There is no point at which we say, 'Our work is finished.'  -Rachel Carson

Rachel Carson enjoyed a successful career as a government biologist and writer, penning essays on marine life that are still relevant. But, she is best remembered as a reluctant activist and the author of Silent Spring-the landmark book that exposed the ecological and health hazards of DDT. A New York Times best-seller, Silent Spring reached millions and helped shape the environmental movement as we know it today.

Photo shot from Unaka Mountain out towards the east with Roan Mountain in the distance.

second spring

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. -Albert Camus (French Algerian author)

simplify

Live simply so others might simply live.  -Elizabeth Seaton

Cabin on Unaka Mountain; Tennessee

the quilt trail

I just love covered bridges. This particular bridge is located in Unicoi, TN going towards Erwin on the back roads. Here in Northeast Tennessee there's a little trail called "The Quilt Trail." It really is interesting to stumble across this neat tradition. Here's a map for all "Quilt Trail" locations. Click

www.appalachianrcd.org/quilttrail/quiltmap.htm

Autumn's fire

Now Autumn's fire burns slowly along the woods. -William Allingham (Irish poet)

Autumn is by far my most favorite time of year. This weekend I am fortunate enough to trek up to Johnson City, TN for an alumni college baseball game. I couldn't ask for better timing! I took this photo just outside the Tennessee line at a small overlook.

blaze of lights

In the country, the darkness of night is friendly and familiar, but in a city, with its blaze of lights, it is unnatural, hostile and menacing.  It is like a monstrous vulture that hovers, biding its time.  -Somerset Maugham (English playwright, novelist, short story writer)

View of the skyline from the Gervais Street bridge, Columbia.


 This photo isn't as sharp as I wanted it to be but with the shutter open for as long as it was and the vibrations of the passing cars it made it rather difficult. It will improve with time though!

...here's the steeple...

A steeple points one to the heavens, the symbol of the dwelling place of Christ. Through city streets, across the valleys and lakes, through the countryside far and wide, the steeple declares Christ.  -Jerry Bennett

 This is the steeple located on the First Baptist Church of Columbia. Being the Christian that I am, I figured what better way to profess my faith than to show it!


 This photo also reminds me of the old nursery rhyme:

Here's the church, and here's the steeple

Open the door and see all the people.

Here's the parson going upstairs,

And here he is saying his prayers.

For more information on this church visit www.fbccola.com.

spoiled rotten

Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them. -Richard Evans (British historian)


Above is a photo of my one-year-old niece, Addison. She truly is a fit to be tied; knocking over drinks, changing the television station right before a huge play, and only God knows what else. No matter what, right now, it seems like she could do no wrong. Each day, I long to see her give me her little grin and run up to me with her arms as high up in the air as possible waiting for me to pick her up. This is a prime example of wrapped around not only one finger but all ten!

SS Camaro

The best car safety device is a rear-view mirror with a cop in it.  
-Dudley Moore (English actor, comedian, composer and musician)

 Being the car salesman that I am it was obvious I would post something that has to do with automobiles sooner or later.

over the dam

That issue has gone under the bridge, under the next bridge, over the next dam and is gone. -Nick Saban (head football coach, University of Alabama)

Throughout my 23 short years of life, I have come to find out that sometimes you have to just let things go and forgive. More than likely you cannot change what has happened so why stress over it? If you really think about it, you are not forgiven until you have forgave.

completely by chance

 I didn't ask for it to be over, but then again, I never asked for it to begin. For that's the way it is with life, as some of the most beautiful days come completely by chance. But even the most beautiful days come completely by chance. But even the most beautiful days eventually have their sunsets. -author unknown

 This is a photo I took this past week of Lake Murray along the dam. Hopefully I am off to a good start. This is my first ever experience with blogging.